Basketball in Africa

16 September 2015

UGANDA : Play-off hopefuls Sharing plotting Power upset

After winning just three of their first round
games (3-8), Sharing Youth are making a late charge for the playoffs
following a three-game winning sequence in the Airtel National
Basketball League.

Victory today will move them above Charging Rhino,
a team they are likely to tussle it out with for the final eighth
play-off spot and who are left with two games against Warriors and Tiger
Head Power.

This makes Sharing’s game today at YMCA against
Power a potential banana skin for the five-time champions. Key to
Sharing’s late surge has been the influence of former Kenya Ports
Authority (KPA) duo of Brian Muramba and Alex Lugasi.The pair is
averaging 18 and 16 points respectively from the three games that
include a 72-62 win over Warriors in their last game a fortnight ago to
improve to 7-12 and just outside the playoff places.

Today’s game also offers what looks like the best
chance for a Sharing win with high-flying UCU Canons and KIU Titans the
other games left for the Nsambya-based side.

They will also be buoyed by an inconsistent Power
team that crushed to an 80-75 defeat to Ndejje University Angels before
an 87-80 overtime win over Warriors last Friday.

With five games left, Power should also be keen on
a win that would improve coach Rober Mugabe’s side from an 11-6 record
and their current eighth placed rating.

NIGERIA : D'Tigress Overruntough Gabon to Reach Semis

Adaora Elonu scored 22 points and scooped eight rebounds to pivot the
D'Tigress to a 73-65 defeat of Gabon yesterday in the basketball event
of the ongoing 11th African Games.
The victory ensured the National female basketball team advanced into
tomorrow's semi-finals of the competition, even though it was not as
smooth as expected.
But for sterling performances from Joyce Ekworomadu (11 points, eight
rebounds), Helen Ogunjimi (11 points, two rebounds) and Sarah Ogoke
(seven points, four rebounds), the Gabonese were aiming for an upset.
Nigeria led 12-9 after the first five minutes, and could only take a
20-19 lead into the second quarter, in a game that kept going back and
forth.
They extended their lead to 29-27 midway into the second quarter, but
as the Gabonese fought back they could only take a 35-34 lead by the
half time mark.
Then, the Gabonese had a remarkable return, taking a 46-43 lead
midway into the third quarter, before the D'Tigress rallied for a 53-50
lead by the end of the quarter.
With Priscilla Udeaja scoring a total eight and scooping 10 rebounds,
Olayinka Sanni scoring 10 and having five rebounds, and Ndidi Madu
holding sway, the Nigerian side steadied their game.

RWANDA : Regional teams confirm Zone 5 participation

With three weeks to go, East African giants
have already started confirming their participation at the forthcoming
FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship slated for October 4-11 in
Kigali.
By press time, seven teams, four men and three women's teams had
already confirmed but local basketball federation (FERWABA) was waiting
for more confirmations as the deadline draws closer.
"So far only seven foreign sides plus four from here have confirmed
they will compete. We are waiting for more confirmations before the
September 17 deadline (today). Preparations for the competition are
going on well. It is going to be a highly competitive and entertaining
tournament," FERWABA technical director, Didier Shema Maboko told Times Sport.
He further explained that for a team to participate in the annual
regional show, they have to confirm to World Basketball Governing Body
(FIBA) and then FIBA notifies the hosts.
Hosts Rwanda will be represented by four teams, two in each gender and FERWABA has tipped local sides to shine.
The weeklong regional competition will also serve as qualifiers for
the African Championships slated for November (men) and December in the
women's category in Angola.Confirmed participantsMen: Ulinzi (Kenya), Muzinga (Burundi), Espoir
(Rwanda), Cercle Sportif de Kigali (Rwanda) as well as City Oilers and
Tiger Head Power of Uganda.Women: Les Gazelles (Burundi), Kampala City Council (Uganda), Uganda Christian University (Uganda), APR (Rwanda), Ubumwe (Rwanda).

Strathmore Blades dominated from start
to the end as they overran Unites States International University -
Africa (USIU-A) 80-57 in a Kenya basketall Federation men's Premer
League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The win saw Blades complete a double over USIU-A this season after beating their opponents in the first leg in May.
Blades
used their key player Joseph Ongoro early enough to do the damage. He
set off the tempo with two straight three-point shots and a basket for a
8-0. Ongoro finished the quarter with 15 points, 71 percent of his
team's total score in the 21-18 win.
Blades who won the second
quarter 19-14 to lead 40-32 at halftime came out stronger in third
quarter with a 26-8 win but lost the fourth 14-17. Ongoro, who shot 69
percent at the three-point line, top-scored for Blades with 26 points
while Kevin Kigotho had 14 points for USIU-A.
Blades scored
33 points from the three-point line and 19 from the free-throw line
while USIU-A had six points off the three-point line and eight from free
shots.
In the same league, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) collected
maximum points from their tour of Nairobi. They beat Terror 75-51 on
Saturday and Umoja 79-59 on Sunday.
Against Umoja, Evans Letting
top-scored with 17 points while Athiey Lwal hit four three-pointers to
finish with 15 points. Michael Munene top scored for Umoja with 16
points while Joseph Dibondo added 15.
Anthony Ojukwu, the KPA
head coach had the opportunity to rotate his playing unit for both games
to give more players playtime. He told sportsnewsarena.com that earlier
losses have not complicated his team’s chances of defending the title.
The
first loss was at home to Nairobi City Thunder. “I took full blame for
that loss because my substitutes never worked. The starting five were
fine but those that I brought in failed to click and we actually
surrendered a 21 points lead,” he said. Ojukwu: Poor officiating cost us
That
was followed by back-to-back losses against Nakuru Club and USIU-A.
“The loss to Nakuru was largely due to poor officiating so I never lost
to a better team. Against USIU-A, I did not even consider that to be a
game,” Ojukwu added.
“We did not have a referee and I fielded a
weak team. USIU-A insisted on playing because they had travelled all the
way from Nairobi so we decided to use that as a training game. To our
surprise, it counted and that's how we lost. We can beat USIU-A any
day.”
With three losses, Ojukwu has no fears of surrendering the
title notwithstanding the fact that some of his players are based in
Nairobi. “I am not worried because I know we will be ready for
playoffs. I believe we have the best team.”
In another match,
Co-operative Bank beat Strathmore University 76-62 in a game they had to
wait until fourth quarter to be sure of a victory.
Strathmore
did not surrender the game without a fight. The students started as the
better side with a 4-0 lead inside first minute and had stretched to 9-3
with five minutes played to win the quarter 17-13.
With 6:40
of second quarter played, Strathmore’s lead was cut to a point at 19-18
but they surged ahead to lead 26-18. When the clock had 2:30 of play
left, Co-op Bank took over leadership for the first time at 27-26 but
Strathmore bounced back to re-take the lead 28-27 at 2:09.
Co-op
Bank led again 29-28 at 1:56 but Martin Mugambi nailed a three -pointer
for Strathmore to lead 31-29 at 1:26. Co-op Bank was in the lead again
33-32 at 0:30 to play and went to the breather leading 34-32.Lead changed hands six times
Third
quarter witnessed a similar display as both teams exchanged leadership
at intervals of two points all through. In this quarter, the lead
changed hands six times and was tied two times at 36-36 and 44-44.
The
bankers went to fourth quarter with four points lead and had extended
to ten after four minutes played at 62-52 to win the quarter 24-14.
Job
Byron scored highest for Co-op Bank with 14 points and Joseph Khaemba
added 12. Cliff Alela was the highest scorer for Strathmore with 15
points, Robert Otieno added 13 while Samuel Mogoko and Keith Adams
scored 10 points each.
Equity Bank beat Mennonite 71-32.
Women's
Premier League defending champions USIU-A narrowly beat Western Delight
54-47 in Kakamega. Head coach George Mayienga said the scoreline was
okay considering the circumstances under which they played.
“That
is not a worry. We had only six players because others had exams and we
enjoyed a good lead only to allow them a comeback. When your opponent
scores four three-pointers, they will definitely catch up and that is
what happened.”
The game between Co-op Bank and Ulinzi Blades at
Upper Hill was rained off with 1:14 remaining in third quarter and
Ulinzi leading 36-31.
Masaku Sparks won 67-21 over Kenyatta
University Oryx with quarterly scores of 29-6, 14-2, 9-6 and 15-7
respectively. Pamela Sinda top scored with 15 points while Hilda Ndegwa
and Felmas Adhiambo added 11 each.
Berine Awour scored three three-point shots and a free shot to top score for Oryx with 10 points. ResultsSaturday:
Western Delight 47 USIU-A 54, JKUAT 42 Little Prince 39, Blazers 57
Nebulas Kakamega 45, 4-Christ 77 Kisumu Lakeside 58, World Hope 80 MKU
Thika 78, Masaku Sparks 67 KU Oryx 21, Terror 51 KPA 75, Don Bosco 57
Baraka Xtreme 79, Equity Bank 71 Mennonite 32; Sunday:
Little Prince 55 Lakeside 66, Umoja 59 KPA 79, Barclays Bank 58 ANU 44,
Strathmore University 62 Co-op Bank 76, USIU-A 57 Blades 80.

13 September 2015

UGANDA : Joseph Ouma warns against complacency as Falcons take on Rhinos

Falcons vs. Charging Rhinos 6:30pm, YMCA
Falcons’ Guard Joseph 'Shiva' Ouma is aware of the devastating effects of undermining lesser sides.
The Kenyan international has warned his teammates against complacency when his side takes on Charging Rhinos today at YMCA.
New coach Benard Oluoch has restored confidence that had deserted the team during Sam Obol's scandalous stint.
Falcons come into the game off a loss to Warriors last Friday and will be searching for victory to regain their winning touch.

Victory, though, will be farfetched if complacency isn't ironed out according to Joseph Ouma.

“We should not be complacent. That is my simple warning to my teammates” Ouma said.
“We are facing a lesser Charging Rhinos but believe me small teams
are good at causing upsets. I know they (Charging Rhinos) will not give
it to us easily but gradually we will take it” Ouma told Kawowo Sports.
Inspirational player Steven Omony is expected to return to the team
after injury recovering from the injury that kept him out against
Warriors and last game at Afrobasket.

UGANDA : Durable Power strikes Warriors

Warriors’ Sam Gombya fights for the ball with Michael Makiadi of Tiger
Head Power during over time of their game on Friday. photo by Ismail
Kezaala

Kampala. Few fans could have left the YMCA
court on Friday evening disappointed; for this was a true Stanbic
Warriors-Tiger Head Power encounter.
The fans, mostly absent during the regular season, returned in good numbers to
witness the two bitter rivals tussling it out.
Power were fast out of the blocks with Paul Mwaka scoring the first 10 points
as Warriors played catch-up for large parts of the tie.
Twice Warriors clawed themselves level, in the second quarter before a late
surge in the fourth quarter climaxed with a lay-up and three pointer from Sedar
Sagamba as the game drifted into overtime at 71-all.
The guard also finished with 15 points while Joshua Etalu added a game high 19
for Warriors.
Sudi Ulanga and Michael Makiadi were among five Power players in double figures
and finished with 14 points apiece as the side pulled away for an 87-80
victory. There were also two ejections with Power’s Abdullahi Ramadhan and
Donald Ssali, whose 10 points played a key part for the Warriors, the guilty
parties.
Similar resolve in upcoming games could well see both Power now at 11-6 and
Warriors 10-9 improve on their current records.
One such team in need of grit though is record six-time champions Falcons, who
went down 68-56 to play-off chasing Charging Rhino.
Allan Kobel and Abel Omongin’s 14 and 12 points led the charge for Rhino, who
improved to 7-13 and ahead of Sharing with two and three games respectively.
The league resumes on Wednesday with Power playing Sharing Youth while Our
Saviour dates Bush Court.Airtel FUBA league
FRIDAY RESULTS
Power 87-80 Stanbic Warriors
Rhino 68-56 Falcons
PLAYING WEDNESDAY
Power vs. Sharingessenono@ug.nationmedia.com

12 September 2015

TANZANIA : TBF to Unveil National Coach

THE Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) today is expected to name
the national men and women's teams head coach will take charge of the
teams in various competitions.
TBF Secretary General, Saleh Zonga, told the 'Daily News' in Dar es
Salaam yesterday the coach who will take charge of the teams comes from
the United States of America. He will be the second US national to be
appointed head of the national teams.
Zonga said the federation will hold a press conference at the former
National Sports Council (NSC) offices in the city at 10.00am to unveil
the coach. The first American coach was Post University men's basketball
coach Al Sokaitis in 2012 on a longterm basis to promote the game.
TBF focuses on promoting the game through participation of young
players, particularly in schools where they are readily available.
Sokaitis also served as a technical advisor and was charged with bringing Tanzania basketball to a competitive world level.
He was appointed the country's basketball coach after a longtime
basketball associate of his, former New York Knicks strength and
conditioning coach Greg Brittenham, was invited to Tanzania to evaluate
and suggest how both the men and women's national teams could become
competitive in the African championships and at the Olympic level.
Naming the US national as the national teams head coach focuses on building Tanzania into an African basketball powerhouse.

United States International
University- Africa (USIU-A) hope they can overturn a first leg 57-61
loss to Strathmore Blades when the two varsity rivals meet this weekend
at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
In this match, Blades
will be playing a slightly changed team. USIU-A lost their point guard
Victor Bosire to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in mid-season as well as
Abel Nson who turns out for Nairobi Aviation College. Another guard
Joseph Khaemba returned to Co-operative Bank.
But, Blades is still
intact and hoping to make it a double. Joseph Ongoro, Peter Shilton
and George Okoth are some of the key players expected to give USIU-A
stiff challenge on court. USIU-A have experienced Yoni Wanambiro, Kevin
Kigotho and Alvin Nyangweso.
Blades are top of Western Conference with 28 points while USIU-A are seven points behind with three games at hand.
In another match, Ulinzi Warriors hope to keep the pace with Blades by securing a win over Lions on Sunday.
KPA
have an opportunity to catch up with Eastern Conference leaders Nairobi
City Thunder when they play twice in Nairobi. On Saturday, they face
University of Nairobi’s Terrorist and Umoja on Sunday.
Terror has
not been performing well losing eleven of their fifteen games. They are
up against a side which has lost only thrice in 13 outings and are the
league's defending champions.
Terror could bank on the
individual brilliance of Collins Ochieng, Frank Manyala and William
Mayiel but will need the support from teammates to score a rare win.
KPA has creme de la creme of the league to line up against the students
including Valentine Nyakinda, Arou Ramadhan, Tobias Onyango and Martin
Kitonga. But after losing to Nakuru Club in first leg, the dockers
cannot afford to underrate Terror. Formality match
Their match against Umoja might a formality. Umoja has underperformed with eight losses from 12 games.
Co-operative
Bank will play Strathmore University while Zetech University will face
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). Nakuru Club will be seeking their third
straight win when they tackle Kenyatta University Pirates.
Equity Bank will play against Mennonite hoping to win and push their
playoffs qualification chances a notch higher. After a shaky start, the
bankers are faced with the risk of missing out on the playoffs for the
second season running as competition in Eastern Conference is tight.
Newcomers
Zetech are shaping up as serious contenders while Strathmore are also
in the running to join red hot Thunder, KPA and Co-op Bank.
Jeremy
Opiyo, Jeremy Yongo and Joshua Kisali have been instrumental to
Zetech’s fine form in their first season. Unless Mennonite register
their third win against Equity, their arithmetic for league survival
will become complex.
Women Premier League champions USIU-A travel
to Kakamega to play Western Delight on Saturday. Masaku Sparks who have
been impressive in the second leg have a date with Kenyatta University
Oryx who have only two wins in ten games. KBF Weekend FixturesSaturday:
USIU-A vs Western Delight (11a.m., Kakamega), ANU vs EMYBA (9 a.m.,
Upper Hill), JKUAT vs Little Prince (10:30), Blazers vs Nebulas Kakamega
(12:00), 4-Christ vs Lakeside (2:00), KAA vs Zetech University (4:00),
Don Bosco vs Baraka Xtreme (9 a.m., Nyayo gymnasium),Masaku Sparks vs KU
Oryx (10:30), World Hope vs MKU Thika (12:00), Terror vs KPA (2:00),
Equity Bank vs Mennonite (4:00); Sunday: EMYBA vs
Nebulas Kakamega (10:00, Upper Hill), KCA-U vs JKUAT (12:00), Ulinzi vs
Lions (2:00), KU Pirates vs Nakuru Club (4:00), Little Prince vs
Lakeside (9:00), Barclays Bank vs ANU (10:30), Umoja vs KPA (12:00),
Strathmore University vs Co-op Bank (2:00), USIU-A vs Blades (4:00).

UGANDA : Fuba face Fiba sanctions over Gazelles failure

KAMPALA. The national women’s basketball team,
the Gazelles, face the prospect of missing out on another continental
championship unless Fuba raises Shs360m ($100,000) to fund their trip to
Cameroon for the September 24 to October 3 AfroBasket Championship.The
team has just missed out on the All Africa Games after National Council
of Sports (NCS) slashed the travelling contingent due to lack of funds.
“We must find a way of travelling otherwise we risk a three-year ban
and Shs144m in fines,” Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya said during a
press briefing at Hotel Africana yesterday.

The team qualified for both tournaments after
winning the Fiba Africa Zone V Championship held here last year. “We
missed a unique opportunity, a hard earned one and it hurts that some
federations who are just trying to qualify are given money yet we sent a
budget to government last year,” Tashobya, flanked by national team
committee chairman, Mohamed Santur, said.

“The Sports Commissioner, Omara Apita, told us
Shs1b was released to NCS for three disciplines; netball, athletics and
basketball. Shs580m was given to netball and when we asked for money all
we were given was Shs36m ($10,000) in addition to the Shs82m President
Museveni gave us,” the local basketball body boss explained. According
to Tashobya, Fuba only paid $5000 of the $20,000 outstanding dues to the
international basketball federation, Fiba. Fuba committed to complete
the balance before the women’s tournament.

UGANDA : Oilers resume title hunt

Ramathan Arou of City Oilers tries to dribble past UCU’s Desmond Owili
during last season’s semifinal playoff series at Lugogo. PHOTO BY ISMAIL
KEZAALA

By Elvis Senono

Posted
Wednesday, September 9
2015 at
01:00

In Summary

Basketball. Due to the national team’s continental
engagements, City Oilers have been away from local league action for one
month now. They return today with a clash against Diamond in the Sun
at YMCA, Wandegeya

Today is exactly 30 days since City Oilers last
played a competitive game. Their last Airtel National Basketball League
game was a 59-50 defeat of Charging Rhino on August 9. The men’s
national team, the Silverbacks’ participation in the Fiba Afrobasket,
has had a lot to do with Oilers’ inactivity as their clash with KIU
Titans was postponed.

That period of lull has two faces; the two-time
defending champions could be rusty or the players are in fine form after
getting rid of niggles.

Their coach Mandy Juruni must be hoping for more of the latter as they face minnows Diamond in the Sun at YMCA court today. “You
cannot rule out the rustiness but we should still be able to cope with
it,” said Juruni, who during that break, has also been away with the
national team.

The coach also thinks Ben Komakech is close to
return after a lengthy injury layoff. “He is about 50 per cent fit but
may find it difficult to handle the physical demands of the game at the
moment,” Juruni said. The two-time playoffs MVP hasn’t featured this
year after undergoing knee surgery back in January. Without the
mercurial point guard, Oilers have won 14 of their 16 games, a record
only matched by UCU Canons.

That could be treated as water under the bridge as
the important period of their season is yet to come. The playoffs are
on the horizon and Oilers know they must up the ante in their chase for a
three-peat. Also, they have to travel to Rwanda for the Fiba Africa
Zone V Club Championships next month hoping to improve on their third-
place finish in Mombasa last year.

Perhaps, a game against Diamonds, who have lost
all but one of their 19 games thus far, doesn’t serve as perfect
preparation for the task ahead. However, Juruni will know that players
are only good when playing. He must also feel desperate to see Burundian
forward Landry Ndikumana dominate the opposition.

10 September 2015

RWANDA : Ubumwe eye first FIBA Africa Zone 5 title

Ubumwe won the women's league title in their second season last year.

Debutants Ubumwe women’s basketball club are
keen to put up a strong fight as they seek to win their first title at
the upcoming FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship slated for October
4-11 in Kigali.
The 2014 regular league champions started preparations for the regional championships o weeks ago and the team trains four times a week at KIST court and Amahoro indoor stadium.
In an interview with Times Sport, Ubumwe head coach Jacques Bahige said his target is the title and believes his players can become champions.
“We are targeting the title which is why we started preparations
earlier and I’m confident in my players. As hosts, the least we can
settle for is reaching the semi-finals,” tactician Bahige told this
paper.
The three-year-old Ubumwe side enjoyed their maiden season in the
national women’s basketball league finishing second before dethroning
APR to win the 2014 title and consequently qualifying for this year’s
zone five championships.
APR will also represent the country at the week-long regional tourney
while 2012 winners Espoir and Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK) will be
the two representatives in the men’s category.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and United States International
University (USIU) also from Kenya are the reigning champions in men and
women’s category respectively.

08 September 2015

KENYA ; Mennonite face possible relegation

Mennonites women's basketball tcould
be relegated after forfeiting their Kenya Basketball Federation weekend
game against Ulinzi Blades at Upper Hill School.
They compete in
the Eastern Conference and are winless after 14 matches. It was the
second match Mennonites has missed this season.
Their male
counterparts are treading the same path and lost both matches at the
weekend. On Saturday, they fell 49-95 to Blades.
In this match,
the students won all quarters 21-14, 17-4, 21-9 and 36-22. Joseph Ongoro
had 25 points for Blades while Mennonite's top scorer was Maina Irungu
with 14.
On Sunday, they were convincingle beaten 98-52 by Ulinzi
Warriors. The soldiers dominated all quarters winning 19-8, 27-8,
27-15 and 25-21. Eric Mutoro (Ulinzi) and Irungu Maina (Mennonite) top
scored with 21 points each.
After the weekend results, Mennonite have lost 12 from 14 matches.
Umoja may also be relegated. They also lost two matches this weekend.
Umoja were beaten 64-45 by Nakuru Club on Saturday in a match where
Gilbert Obiero (Umoja) and George Kiarie (Nakuru) top scored with13
points each.
On Sunday, they were beaten 68-44 by Strathmore.
Umoja share the bottom slot in the Western Conference with Mennonite at
16 points but have played two games less.
A third team which
could be relegated are Lions who were beaten 76-64 by Blades on Sunday.
They have 17 points. Peter Shilton scored highest for Blades with 23
points and Victor Ochieng top scored for Lions with 20.
Blades
and Ulinzi are still neck-to-neck at the top of the summit with 28 and
27 points. Kenyatta University Pirates, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)
and Nairobi Aviation College are all in the relegation zone in the
Eastern Conference.
Pirates were not in action this weekend. KAA
and Aviation lost their games. KAA was beaten 87-78 by Strathmore
University after trailing 33-39 at halftime. Strathmore won the first
three quarters 20-19, 19-14 and 23-19 before KAA won the fourth 26-25.
Trevor Ochieng scored highest for Strathmore with 22 points while
Vincent Anyim had a game high of 28 points for KAA and Steve McOdongo
20. Ulinzi won all quarters
Ulinzi
Warriors inflicted a 99-29 defeat to Aviation. They won all quarters
23-6, 17-9, 23-6 and 36-8. Eric Mutoro scored highest for Ulinzi with 21
points while Abel Nson had 13 for Aviation.
Pirates are on 17
points while KAA and Aviation are tied at 18 points. Equity Bank with
19 points from 12 games still remain in danger following their 49-55
loss to Nairobi City Thunder on Saturday.
Strathmore pulled away
after double wins to increase their tally to 22 points same as Zetech
University who lost 56-72 to Thunder. In both games, Griffin Ligare
combined for 39 points. Thunder is at the top with 32 points.
In the women's Premier League, Equity Bank and Kenya Ports Authority
had a fruitful tour of Western Kenya against Kisumu Lady Bucks and
Western Delight.
KPA beat Western Delight 80-20 helped by a
combined 30 points from Annerose Mandela and Evelyn Itabu. They beat
Kisumu Lady Bucks 77-42.
Hilda Indasi and Samba Mjomba helped Equity to double wins; 66-34 against Western Delight and 64-41 against Kisumu Lady Bucks.
KPA went clear at the top of Eastern Conference with 26 points.
Strathmore University are second on 24 points after beating Sprite
Storms 46-42. In this match, Susan Abwoga tscored 15 points. Mercy
Wanyama replied with 13 points for Storms.
Equity are third on 22 points while Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U) have only won two of their 12 matches.
Kisumu
Lady Bucks and Western Delight are in Western Conference and have 11
and 12 points respectively. They are at the bottom of the log while KU
Oryx has 12 points as well. KBF weekend resultsSaturday:
Western Delight 20 KPA 80, Kisumu Lady Bucks 41 Equity Bank 64,
Barclays Bank 61 EMYBA 47, Blades 95 Mennonite 49, Strathmore University
87 KAA 78, Umoja 45 Nakuru Club 64, Equity Bank 49 Thunder 55, Nairobi
Aviation College 29 Ulinzi Warriors 99; Sunday: Kisumu
Lady Bucks 77 KPA 42, Western Delight 34 Equity Bank 66, Mennonite 0
Ulinzi Blades 20, Strathmore University 46 Sprite Storms 42, Don Bosco
62 4-Christ 67, Little Prince 50 Parklands Baptist 48, Umoja 44
Strathmore University 68, KCA-U 78 Baraka Xtreme 43, World Hope 56 EMYBA
61, Ulinzi Warriors 98 Mennonite 52, Blades 76 Lions 64, Thunder 72
Zetech University 56.

07 September 2015

KENYA : City Thunder roar to lead table

Nairobi City Thunder reaped big from the
weekend's Kenya Basketball Federation league action to take control of
the men premier league’s Eastern Conference after registering double
wins.
They are now 28 points, four clear of second-placed Co-operative Bank.
After
beating Umoja 70-58 on Saturday, Thunder maintained the momentum on
Sunday with a 78-47 win over Nairobi Aviation College at the Nyayo
National Stadium gymnasium.
With player-coach Ben Oluoch missing
from their lineup, NAC had a mountain to scale against one of the form
teams in the league. Abel Nson and Maurice Obillo were the key players
for the aviators but could not withstand the pressure.
NAC
enjoyed a brief 3-0 lead for the opening two minutes of the game
courtesy of a three-pointer from Obillo. Thunder then made two baskets
to take the lead at 4-2 and went on to press hard and dictated play to
the end.
They won the first two quarters 20-10 and 32-12 for a
52-22 halftime lead. Aviation won the third 17-15 and Thunder the
fourth 11-8. Griffin Ligare tormented Aviation with 29 points, grabbed
three rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Charles Kituyi added
20 points and grabbed four rebounds and four steals. Obillo finished
the game with 23 points for Aviation who scored 18 points from the
three-point line and six from free shots. Thunder made fifteen free
shots and five three-pointers.
Blades also made it two wins out
of two for the weekend beating Kenya Airports Authority 70-61. In the
absence of Ulinzi Warriors, Blades ascended to the top of the Western
Conference with 22 points.
Billy Ongute made the first basket for
KAA as they strolled to a 8-2 lead in the first five minutes of the
game. Blades fought back and at 4:16, Emmanuel Soja made two free shots
as they led 9-8.
At 2:14, Alphas Muema overturned the lead for KAA at 10-9 with a basket as they went on to win the quarter 14-11. Opened up a big lead
With
only 2:70 played in second quarter, KAA had opened up a big lead of
20-11 as the quarter ended 14-all. Third quarter was the main turning
point for Blades.
With less than two minutes played, they were
leading 30-29 but KAA charged ahead 31-30. Peter Shilton fired a
3-pointer to give Blades a 33-31 lead and stretched that to eleven
points. Blades won the quarter 31-19 as they led 56-47.
KAA
matched up the pressure in fourth quarter and with 48 seconds remaining,
they trailed by two points at 61-63. Their shaky defense saw Shilton
sink a three-pointer and two free shots plus a basket from Soja to seal
the win.
Shilton finished with 24 points including three
three-pointers while Brayan Shivachi top scored for KAA with 17 points
and Alphas Muema added 12. Blades made 23 free shots and five 3-pointers
while KAA scored 16 points from free shots and one three-pointer.
In
division one, Blazers push to make a return to the top league suffered a
big dent after losing their third consecutive game. They lost 60-78
to Baraka Xtreme after trailing 35-42 at halftime.
Baraka won
first quarter 20-13 with the second ending in a 22-all tie. In second
quarter, Baraka scored 18/22 from the 3-point line. Baraka won the
remaining quarters 14-11 and 21-14 respectively.
Amos Wachira
shot 12 points from the arc to top score for Baraka with 27. For
Blazers, Jay Michoma made eight free shots, one three-pointer and three
baskets to top score with 17 points while Joe Koech added 11.
In other games, Trailblazers beat World Hope 69-55 and Barclays Bank won 68-57 against 4-Christ. Sunday Results:
Barclays Bank 68 4-Christ 57, KAA 61 Blades 70, Blazers 60 Baraka
Xtreme 78, Trailblazers 69 World Hope 55, Thunder 78 Nairobi Aviation
College 47.

Nairobi City Thunder won their two matches at the weekend to top the Eastern Conference table. (Photo by Shutterspeed)

UGANDA : We should have been considered priority says Gazelles' captain Vickie Ntale

Uganda's national women's basketball team will not make their debut at the All Africa Games.
This follows the National Council of Sports' decision to drop the
team apparently due to lack of funds to take the team to the Brazzaville
Games that officially kick-off today.
Basketball is one of the number of sports that were affected by NCS' lack of funds to facilitate the trips of the athletes.
Gazelles' captain Vickie Ntale says they should have been considered priority when choosing who to take to the games.

We should have been considered a priority. Basketball on the National
team level has never qualified for that level and then when we do, look
at what happens to us.

Ntale is disappointed by the decision to drop the team after putting in much work despite the hardships.

As a leader I feel bad not only for myself but for the gals as well.
It's a really cruel thing that NCS has done to the Gazelles especially
for a team that is going to make their game debut in Congo. The girls
have given a lot.

The focus now turns to the September 24 to October 3 Afrobasket in Cameroon.

It's really demoralizing for the girls but in the Gazelles' camp training continues as usual because we have Afrobasket.

The Gazelles are pooled in Group A along with hosts Cameroon, Mozambique, South Africa, Gabon, and Mali.

KAMPALA. Silverbacks captain
Stephen Omony believes the national basketball team are motivated to get
better after they picked up ‘tremendous lessons’ at the recently
concluded Afrobasket Championships in Tunisia.Uganda got a tough
welcome to the continental stage, winning one of five games, a
classification match against Zimbabwe (72-64). Three of the Silverbacks’
opponents finished as semi-finalists. Next year, the team will embark
on another qualification campaign for Afrobasket 2017. “Being our first
time there, we had a lot of learning experience. As players, this gives
us a challenge and responsibility to get to those standards required to
play at this level,” Omony said when the team arrived at Entebbe Airport
last Tuesday. “We found out that shooting was a tremendous part of this
competition, while maturity and mental strength are required, too, for
this stage. We need to improve our shooting percentages because it was a
great undoing to us and you will find out that teams that shot well got
results,” he added.The captain, who believes participating at
Afrobasket was a commendable effort in itself, paid homage to his
teammates for giving their all at the tournament.“Previously, some
teams didn’t know about us and thought they would walk over us, but we
fought hard and earned respect. This tournament severely exposed our
weaknesses, but also helped us improve on our strengths. We must get
better,” Omony noted.

UGANDA :Warriors edge Falcons in drab game

Kampala. There have been some
really good games between Warriors and Star Times Falcons; the 2012
final series won 4-2 by the latter quickly coming to mind.Friday’s
meeting between the teams however will not rank high among those.
Warriors in the end won it 70-66 in front of a half empty Lugogo MTN
Arena. For long periods though it appeared as if neither side really
wanted to win until Warriors took a 42-30 lead in the third quarter.That
seemed to spur the Falcons to life who won the third quarter 20-17
thanks in part to Vinnie Jurua’s game high 13 points albeit not enough
to avert a first defeat for new coach Bernard Oluoch.Warriors
meanwhile relied on 12 points apiece from Mark Opio and Joshua Etalu to
recover from Wednesday’s 72-62 defeat to Sharing Youth and move to a 9-9
record. The defeat for Falcons was meanwhile their sixth as they slumped to 11-6 this season.

Power todayToday Tiger Head
Power who have played only three second round games will seek to improve
their 10-4 record with victory against Ndejje University Angels.The
game could also be a first for veteran guard Abdulahi Ramathan who
missed the entire first round while away at home in Tanzania.

KENYA : Ulinzi Warriors wallop Aviation College in easy duel

FORMER national champions Ulinzi Warriors walloped Nairobi Aviation College
in a Premier League show at Upper Hill School courts.

The soldiers led 40-29 at the breather and went all the way after
resumption. Eric Mutoro sunk 21 points while Joshua Okumu registered 16. Abel
Nson collected 13 for the sinking NAC.

George Kiarie scored 13 points to lead the visiting Nakuru Club to a 64-45
victory over Umoja, who had 13 points from Gilbert Obiero and 12 from Michael
Munene. Thunder struck Equity Bank 55-49 in a closely fought duel. Griffin
Ligare buried 16 points and Kevin Choge posted 12 for Thunder. Enock Ogecha had
11 each for the losers. Blades cut Mennonites 95-49. The students took a 38-18
half time advantage and went on to bag maximum points. Joseph Ongoro scored 25
and Jonathan Kishibaya managed 11. Maina Irungu hit 14 and Wycliffe Olanya had
11. Strathmore University beat Kenya Airports Authority 87-78 as Trevor
Ochienga tallied 22 points and Cliff Alela bagged 12. Vincent Anyim led the
losers with 28 and Steve McOdongo recorded 20.

FORMER
national champions Ulinzi Warriors walloped Nairobi Aviation College in
a Premier League show at Upper Hill School courts.
The soldiers led 40-29 at the breather and went all the way after
resumption. Eric Mutoro sunk 21 points while Joshua Okumu registered 16.
Abel Nson collected 13 for the sinking NAC.
George Kiarie scored 13 points to lead the visiting Nakuru Club to a
64-45 victory over Umoja, who had 13 points from Gilbert Obiero and 12
from Michael Munene. Thunder struck Equity Bank 55-49 in a closely
fought duel. Griffin Ligare buried 16 points and Kevin Choge posted 12
for Thunder. Enock Ogecha had 11 each for the losers. Blades cut
Mennonites 95-49. The students took a 38-18 half time advantage and went
on to bag maximum points. Joseph Ongoro scored 25 and Jonathan
Kishibaya managed 11. Maina Irungu hit 14 and Wycliffe Olanya had 11.
Strathmore University beat Kenya Airports Authority 87-78 as Trevor
Ochienga tallied 22 points and Cliff Alela bagged 12. Vincent Anyim led
the losers with 28 and Steve McOdongo recorded 20.
Kenya Ports Authority thrashed Western Delight 80-20 at the Police
Canteen in Kakamega. Evelyne Itabu nailed 14 for the ports women while
Annerose Mandela shot the host 16. At the Kisumu sports ground, Equity
Bank beat Lady Bucks 64-41 as Hilda Indasi scored 17. Eleanor Musundi,
Samba Mjomba and Linda Mfuchi all chipped in with 10 each.
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